Hiram of York stumbled through Bastion, comparing landmarks, streets, and the increasing number of inns, taverns, and shops with his map- apparently outdated, too. Or perhaps just written by a really bad mapmaker- he was already hopelessly lost. He rolled the parchment back up, and slid it home into its case, and pocketing it again. He rubbed his temples; three days, already, had he been looking for the appropriate places for his research, and the locals aren't very welcoming of outsiders, unless they offered money.

So he looked about and laid eyes on a pair of relatively decent gentlemen- by that, he meant that their clothes were dirty, not tattered and ratty, and their teeth were... somewhat white, with hair that had been cut in the past six months, rather than two years. So he approached, slipped several silver coins into his palms, and said, "Ho, local, might I ask where a good place to find decent drink and local news and information?' The first of the two men eyed him; at first, they may mistake him for prey, based on his speech and what it generally meant- a richie out of his guard and land. But then he took in the clothing he wore, and the sword at his hip, and apparently decided against it, because he said, "Aye, 'at ah do, young'un, but my purse be a tad bit lonely no'wa'days, see?"

Hiram nodded agreeable, smiling under his hood as he shook hands with the gentleman- and he immediately wished he hadn't, since Thyrum knows what ungodly grime was deposited on his hand. Nevertheless, money changed hands and the man said, "Ah, roight, ye, ye. Head on straight, hang'un left, there be a good place for all yer, ah, wide-spread lootin' needs, ya see?"

Hiram gave the man that same smile, nodded his thanks and turned down the street. On his way, he passed several carts and a couple soldiers chasing after a rather drunken-looking man, shouting about a jar of dirt, but nonetheless outrunning the soldiers, who were panting and huffing in their uniforms. The Scholar shrugged, and took the turn as said, peering down into the dimmer, darker roadway. Almost immediately upon entering, he was nearly shoved over; a kid scrambled back from his fall, and started to dart away. Hiram's hand shot out, grabbing the boy by the collar, and dragged him toward him. Almost immediately, the kid twisted, tossed the stolen Doubloon onto the ground, and escaped into the crowd. Hiram swooped down on his money, eyeing the nearby pirates [who were eyeing him back], and then swept onwards.


Hiram pushed open the door to the... tavern, and stood up to the doorframe. He paused for a moment, outlined in the doorway by the dark gloomy lighting of the dirtier, less civilized street to the tavern's even d darker, if cozier, firelight. Then he stepped inside and let the door fall back into place. Wary eyes took in the residents, and he cursed under his breath. This was [i]not[/i] where he wanted to be.

There was little time off at The Naughty Nymph, of course you could take a break whenever you wanted, but if you wanted to eat you worked. Most women here never left the place, as there was always someone to comfort and fill their mugs with rum, ale or whatever else they happened to be drinking. 

Jackie barely left herself, but on occasion she would leave out the back. This was so she could remain sane, as at times things seemed to be repetitive. Also she came out back to freshen up at the water pump, she wanted to look fresh as it seemed the men would pay more for a "clean" young wench. That was what she was currently doing as she had just finished with a customer and she wanted to clean up a bit before going back into the stuffy building.

"Jack! Would ya 'ery up lass! Ya got men awaiten needin drinks and yer fine bosom!" Called one of the older women from one of the windows that over looked the back of the building. 
[color=green]"Coming!"[/color] She yelled as she dried her face and hands on the tattered apron that hung on the front of her dress.

She walked into the back kitchen/store room of the building and took note of the greasy cook who was drinking a bottle of rum while stirring a large pot of stew. The older man didn't notice her, but she wasn't surprised as he was constantly drunk. She was surprised that he could cook let alone not fall into the fireplace. But she didn't waste too much time in the back.

She quickly grabbed some rum and mugs and walked out into the large dark room that was full of drunken men. Most had women on their laps, which meant that she was going to have to do a lot of the rum serving tonight. Which was okay, but she wouldn't be able to make much, as she made more lying on her back than serving drinks. "Girl! Rum!" Called some sea weathered man who was holding up his mug. She quickly made her way over and filled the man's mug and gave a flirtatious smile, but the man wasn't interested.

Just then she heard the door open, she looked to see a man who looked a little lost. Smirking she walked over to the stranger. [color=green]"'Ello darling, ya look lost can I offer ya a drink until ya gather ya wits?"[/color] She asked with a sweet smile as she gestured to a table not too far from the door. She looked innocent and sweet which usually made new comers feel comfortable when in this shady place.

Hiram stared at the very pretty young lady in front of him, just a tad bit shocked, really. She looked so sweet, so innocent, so pretty, as if she were still untouched by the horrors of the world... but if she worked here, he knew very well what she did instead. But he needed information, and he might as well see if she knew anything about everything in Bastion. So he said, "I am lost, yes, but if I'm to have a drink..." He paused for a moment, before deciding, "I'll have water. [i]Boiled[/i] water, mind you. I need information for my research about Bastion and the surrounding communities, and if you can provide some, I can pay you. All you need to do is boil some clean water and have a chat." He made extra sure to keep his face hooded; he didn't want anyone knowing of his presence here. It would have been low of him to come here knowingly- it was no place for a man of his birth.

She could tell by the way he looked at her, that he was a little surprised that someone like her would be working in a place like this. But then she got those looks quite often and was rather use to them. Though she did appreciate it, as it let her know that she hadn't lost her looks like some of the women in the place. But drunk men don't care what you look like just so long as you fill their mugs and spread your legs.

[i]Boiled water[/i]? Jackie couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the man. [color=green]"Oh deary, I tink it would be bettar if ya drank the rum. But I'll do as ye asks, be back in a few darling."[/color] She said as she turned and walked to the back. She quickly grabbed a pot and went to the pump and filled it with water before going back in and placing one of the hooks that swung over the fire. 

As she waited for the water to boil two young boys came in from the back. They would be serving drinks and some food now that the girls would be busy with the men. "Hia Jack! Busy yet?" The oldest boy asked as he grabbed an apron. He was a nice young man, no older than thirteen but had more heart than anyone she knew. It was a pity that he wasn't born to a wealthy family. [color=green]"Aye, it's pickin up. Bettar 'erry, don't want you two getting the strap."[/color] She said as she watched the boys quickly grabbed a tray and went out to the front. 

"Eh! Who put this pot of 'lear stuff on me fire?!" The old greasy cook yelled. He looked completely bewildered by the fact that there was something other than stew and his laundry on the fire. Jackie rolled her eyes, the big lout was standing right there when she placed the pot over the fire. He must be really drunk to not have noticed or he was a simpleton. [color=green]"It's water you greasy dog, a man up front wants it."[/color] She as she went to take the pot off the hook. "What he want water for? Da rum is safe'r." He said as he took a swig from the bottle he was holding as if to make a point. Again she rolled her eyes and just ignored the man as she poured the hot water into a pitcher before heading out to the front again.

Jackie couldn't help but smile as she noticed how the man she was serving tried to keep others from noticing him. She placed the a mug infront of the man and poured him the water. [color=green]"Now deary, how can Miss Marie help ya?"[/color] She asked as she sat across from him still smiling sweetly.

Hiram frowned at her, almost glaring, as she tried to be... nice'n'sweet. "Quit that smiling. I've seen too many smiles to know when one's real or is fake, and the only reason you're smiling is because I might pay for 'services'-" his lip curls at the word, obviously in distaste and disgust- "And therefore earn you more money. Had you been born where I was, you coulda been paid triple, I bet, of what you are now for less than half the time you spend doing your... [i]job[/i]. You woulda been in better conditions too. However interesting the culture might be, the majority of places these days tend to be... like [i]this[/i]." He gestured vaguely around him.

Then he raised and brought down his hand, a small [i]thump[/i] being made, as if to force himself to remember his purpose. "Serve my purposes well enough- and I mean for information by conversation, not your usual purpose- and you'll get paid very well. That is, I'm researching the culture. Now, you look like a smart pretty lady, so why don't you tell me all you can think of about this here city, its inhabitants, their traditions and greetings, their general moods and the relationships between major families, parties, clans, etcetera, and I'll give you a doubloon if I think you answered all my questions well enough. If I have questions, I'll ask them to fill in the blanks. If your knowledge is not entirely sufficient for my purposes, I'll still pay but not nearly so much. Understood? And again- wipe that smile off your face. Give me a real smile or none at all."

He leaned back in his rickety chair, grabbing the more solid table in alarm as he felt as if it would break, and slowly released as he realized that it didn't- accompanied by a few choice, foreign curses, of course, muttered under his breath in an equally foreign language, before taking the cup of boiled water, dropping a small white object into it, and then drinking it several moments later- the round, white object already disappeared. Like hell, he'd trust a place like this to have actual, clean water. And like hell, he'd trust a place like this not to poison him with its ale and grog.

Jackie was use to rudeness as all men were rude and thought themselves better than all the women here. But this one, was something different as she got the feeling that he thought himself better than everyone in the room. But she didn't let his attitude dampen her spirits, though she did change her smile to a smirk when he offered her a doubloon. Many men had offered her such payment but never made good, so she wasn't going to hold her breath.

She leaned forward and placed her elbow on the table and gently rested her chin on her hand. [color=green]"Darling kindness can be contagious and that was all me smile was. But I will respect ye wishes if ye wish me not to smile."[/color] She said, though there was no anger or disrespect in her tone. It was simply fact. [color=green]"Ye wish to know about Bastion? Well, darling you should be knowing that it's a sea town with much sea dogs about. These men and most locals have trouble with the guard, tension rises wit each hang'un. As fer greetins, the poor don't take kindly to strangers but friends it's customary to embrace."[/color] She said almost bored like, but she smiled and leaned a little bit more forward. [color=green]"But if ye really want to know something, those highar up don't like comin down to places like dis, but they do send their men down to a grab one of us. Usually me....."[/color] She said coolly letting her accent come through, she would let his mind come with reasons why they (nobles) would want her over the other women. She leaned back a little before continuing. [color=green]"Naval Officers too like to come and have a tumble, or they simply corner ya on the streets until ye give them what they want.... Truth is sir, poor is poor anywhere ye go. Don't matter if me came from a place like you's, I would still be considered low."[/color] She said as she looked down at her hands, she really wasn't sure if this was what the man wanted to hear. But he wished to know how the people of this city interacted and she was giving her view, she really doubted that he ever talked to anyone like her or anyone just as poor as her.

[color=green]"I tries to just get by, but those highar up like to make tings harder for those like me. They tink it's fun beaten on us....... Truth be told darling, ye don't want to be 'ere. Ye don't like to associate with people like us, ye should of gone to the Inn at the Edge of the World. They at least have bettar company and ale."[/color] She said as her eyes went from bright to sad. She wasn't what he wanted, neither for talking to or for carnal pleasures. He made that painfully clear, though he had no idea what it was like to starve and slowly die. It was either that or sell herself, and people do whatever it takes to survive it was their nature.

Hiram scowled under his cowl, before muttering, "Keikia mano minkštą sielai..." (Curses to my soft soul) He set his flagon of boiled water down, and fipped his cowl back, studying her on equal ground, rather than hiding his face. "I won't lie, miss, you aren't wrong. However, I need someone to guide me around town without any trickery, and you've been the most honest person in this rathole since I got here two days ago. And, I'm getting to know too much. I need an assistant or guide, at least while I'm in town. And, if you cover yourself in a cloak so no one sees who you are, you can actually be important for a short little while." He leans a little closer to her, saying, "I can pay your boss or whoever enough to let you go for a while. And for a while, you can be someone who actually matters, rather than a stress reliever. How 'bout that?"

Then he muttered under his breath, as he leaned back, "Skaisti šviesa, padėk man, mano padėtį." (Shining Light (His religion's primary God), help me in my plight)

Jackie bit her lip as she listened to the mans offer. It would be nice to be important even if it was for a short while. She knew why he was her to wear a cloak, as some (if not all) men knew who she was. He didn't want to lose face, but again she was use to that as she had nobles do the same. [color=green]"Fine, but you are goina have to pay Slayer. He sits by the door that leads to the cellar. Just don't use ye fancy words on 'im or else he may think you's a Naval guard and cut you down no questions asked."[/color] She said as the smallest of smiles played on her lips. 

He narrowed his eyes at her for a moment, then relaxed, deciding something that she could only wonder what it was. 

Hiram pushed his chair back, nearly toppling himself in the process, before regaining balance and standing upright. the entire time, he was muttering again, "Niekšiškas kėdė, ir tai šūdas skylė." Then he weaved between the tables and chairs with a fighter's grace, ignoring the women and their... clients with a diplomat's poker face. As he approached the rugged, dirty man slumped in a rather large, somewhat better chair at the back of the room, he couldn't resist the impulse to rest his right hand on his sword- a clear warning to anyone that he was ready to defend himself. 

But he didn't attack; the large man had shifted so he was more upright, speaking with a deep, rumbling voice: "What ye quarrel, strangah?"

Hiram replied, "No quarrel, just a... request. A ducat for that lady that I was speaking with-" The man was already rumbling with laughter. "E'ry'un a'ways wan 'er. A right gol' mine, she is." Hiram waved his hand as if batting the words away, and said, "Nay, I was misled and came here against my wishes. However, I need a guide through this... [i]city[/i], and for business that concerns neither you or your kind, nor the Guard. However, that doesn't mean you can't profit. A ducat, so I have an escort throughout the day. She'll be back by tomorrow evening unharmed, guaranteed."

The large man- Slayer, Hiram recalled- regarded him warily. Hiram understood- he was offering a rather large price to borrow his best money-maker, without very much reassurance. "'Ow 'bout no-" But already, as Slayer refused, Hiram interrupted, "Why don't we take this into the cellar? I have a much better offer, if you won't accept that one." The man glanced at him uncertainly, becoming more unnerved by the strange, well-spoken man who has a foreign accent and weapon, walking like no one did. But nonetheless, the man grumbled and got up, revealing that he was [i]much[/i] taller than Hiram expected, and they disappeared into the cellar.

--+~+--

Ten minutes later, Hiram emerged, followed closely by Slayer, who was grinning widely, as if he just made a magnificent deal. Hiram was tucking a rolled-up parchment into a small, leather tube, of obvious quality, which was engraved with foreign letters and words. He slipped it into his clothing, and walked back towards the lady he had just gotten the services of. Stopping at the table, looking down at her, he took off his cloak and dropped it in her lap. "Come on, we don't have all day."

Jackie was unsure if Slayer would let her go as he didn't like having his best whore too far. He even had [i]special[/i] prices for nobles that wanted her. She wasn't sure what those prices were as she rarely saw a cent of any of it. She could see that Slayer was waving the man off, but it seemed that the stranger was using some special words as they both went to the cellar. She simply sat at the table and watched as some of the other women seduced the men, though it didn't take much.

After about ten minutes she heard the man telling her to go. She looked over at Slayer and noticed how he looked like he got the best deal in the world. She lifted an eyebrow as she looked up at the stranger. She had to wondered what he did to get him to let her go. 

Standing she threw on the cloak and flipped the hood up. [color=green]"Ye mean evening..... If I's to travel wit you's, may I have ye name? I be willing to give you mine. Jackie Marie Smith, but ye may call me whateva ye wish."[/color] She said as she lead him out of the Naughty Nymph and into the darkening streets of Bastion. [color=green]"Keep close, don't 'ant to lose you's to the rift raft 'round 'ere."[/color] She said as she smiled slightly at him, trying to be polite while leading him to the Inn at the Edge of the World.

"Hiram the Practical, of York. If you know the name- and it's unlikely that you will- then you will know its reputation. If you do not know the name, I'd advise against asking about them. Questions about York lead to bloody ends. And before you go ahead with it- I already know your name. Your boss gave it to me." He followed her down the streets of the dirty, smelly, shitty city, and he rather regretted his decision to come here. He had already been to dozens of places, but even the worse ones were at least small and rundown. This just seems to thrive in its own filth, like a ill pig rolling its own dung, enjoying itself until it can run free and eat more disgusting slop.

And when they finally reached the Inn that she was guiding him to, he only said, "You're still with me, Jayum, so don't go running back to your ol' place." He stepped in front of her, before she could open the door, neatly sidestepping any patrons or other people nearby, completely ignoring them except to scan for weapons or hostile intent, and quickly stepped into the Inn, expecting Jack Marie- or as he now called her, Jayum {Based on her initials, really}, to follow.